FEBRUARY. 
45 
C. — We have wandered far ; and shall scarcely be at 
liome before nightfall. The temperature of the air is falling 
rapidly, as indicated by the crispness of the snow^ which 
crunches beneath our feet. 
F. — Yes ; we shall have a cold night : we must walk 
fast to keep a rapid circulation, or we shall run the risk of 
having our noses or cheeks frozen. 
C, — My eyelashes freeze together, for an instant, when 
I wink, already : and your whiskers are as white, with 
your frozen breath, as if they were silvered with age. The 
severe cold makes the cheeks tingle, as if the points of 
needles were running into them. It is pleasant to think 
that we have a comfortable home, and a cheerful fire to 
look forward to. 
jP. — The sun has set : we are apt to associate a glowing 
sunset with summer, and warm weather ; but here is one 
which is not often surpassed. Observe how rich the crim- 
son near the horizon ; in what bold relief the shaggy hem- 
locks of yonder mountain stand out against the fiery sky ; 
mark, too, the beautiful gradation of colour as it approaches 
the zenith ! the glowing, furnace-like red becomes orange, 
then changes to bright flame-colour, deep yellow, pale straw- 
yellow, diluting till at length every warm tinge is lost in 
the cool and soft blue of the general sky — the yellow lost 
in the blue without the least hue of greenness where they 
unite. 
C. — The black hills, and dark masses of cloud make the 
clear sky seem more rich and brilliant by their contrast. 
F. — The most brilliant sunsets I have ever seen were at 
sea, in June and July ; there the sky is often bathed in the 
most gorgeous tints, glowing in crimson and gold, and the 
clouds take the form of a beautiful country, interspersed with 
groves and thickets, and bright lawns ; with calm lakes, 
studded with little islets; and these so accurately imaged 
